I dribbled the orange ball once again, almost out of breath as I moved towards the basket stand.Loud thudding noise of the ball hitting the ground booming around the empty court behind the house in the dark night.Suddenly the ball went out of my control as an intruder snatched it away.Groaning I turned around to look at a very amusing looking Imraan,my cousin and best friend.

He made a knowing face as he now bounced the ball.I kept my hands on my waist as I caught my breath.Sweat beads rolling down the side of my face as my hair stuck to my forehead.

"Wanna play like old times?"Imraan asked making me chuckle.

"You wanna lose again, like old times"I mimicked the last part hearing him chuckle.

"Its not always the same.."He retorted throwing the ball in the basket.

"Bring it on then"I said.

Just as we bagan the game my phone went off from the near by bench making me excuse myself.Reaching towards the black device, I saw Salah's name flash through the screen making a smile form on my lips.

Imraan, Salah and I were mutual cousins and best friends, our fathers were brothers.My father was the oldest and then came Uncle Nawaz, Imraan's dad and lastly Uncle Yousuf, Salah's father.Salah lived in America and hadn't come home in about fourteen years unaware of the fact that a certain woman awaited him.Imraan was married two years ago to Ahya so we three barely got time to communicate leisurely.

Sliding against the green button on the screen I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Salaam.."Salah's familiar voice reached my ear.

"Walaikum Asalam.. How's it?"

"Fine..How are you?"He asked.

I reached Imraan,keeping my elbow on his shoulder as he looked intently at me with his eyebrows raised.

"I am good.So .."I trailed off as I heard some rustling behind Salah.

"Yeah..Um..Actually I am coming home."He said making me look at Imraan in surprise.

"Really..That's great.Everyone here is missing you so much.Especially Daadi Maa, she almost asks everyday about you."I told him.

"Yeah..I just planned it.."He sighed.

Pressing the loud speaker button on the device I moved it a little towards Imraan.

"Hey Salah, Mr.I am already Married is standing next to me, why don't you tell him the surprise."I said hearing Salah laugh at the choice of my words.The muscular man besides me gave me a glare before taking the phone from my hands.

"Hey Salah.How are you man?And what is the surprise about?"

"Imraan, my buddy, I am coming home."Salah replied, his voice a little amusing.

"Great !! We are already counting the days."Imraan said.

"Yeah.. Okay but guys don't tell anyone yet..I'll tell them myself."Me and Imraan said in union.

"Okaay."

"What are you guys doing at this late hour?"Salah asked after some casual things.

"Actually Imraan here, is ready to lose a basketball match to me again"I replied before Imraan could say something.

Salah laughed again making Imraan retort back and the three of us talked for quite a while that night.And Imraan did lose the game, yet again.

***

Taking a big gulp from my hot coffee I felt it burn down my throat.Closing the file I was reading I kept it besides me clasping my watch against my wrist.

Ammi walked to me, my black leather jacket in her hands.Smiling at my beautiful mother I stood up taking the jacket but she moved it away making me frown as her.Her expressions showed she was upset.Helping me wear the jacket over my white shirt she moved to take the empty mug away but I held her shoulder.

"Ammi.. What's wrong?"I asked worriedly.

She moved my hands away yet again looking the other way.

"Arsalan, is this the way to lead your life.You have no time for yourself or for me.You are barely at home these days.Again today you are going out of the city.Your Uncles also run the business but they give time to our family and you.."I could feel what she was pointing put.

"Okay, okay.I understand but Ammi there is a very important project going on these days and Uncle Yousuf trusts me on it so I have to work really hard for it.And I'll be back today till evening.Okay"I assured her.

She still looked unsatisfied but nonetheless she blew prayers on my face and kissed my forehead.I said goodbye before heading out of the house.

***

Flipping the omelet hurriedly, I places two cups and saucers in a tray.Multitasking as time ran like train.I sighed once a servant was allowed to help me but still hurrying around the kitchen.

Keeping the plate of toast on the large table I checked one last time if I had missed something.Once sure that the breakfast table was completely set I asked the servant helping me, to call their master,Jalal Khan.

Taking the keys from the key holder I walked through the hallways.The familiar door came in my view and I unlocked it.The curtain were already open as I walked in seeing the woman sit on her bed.Her eyes open yet she remained in a daze.Reaching towards her, I kept a hand on her shoulder breaking her reverie.She snapped her dark brown eyes towards me, smiling when seeing it was me.I smiled back , my soft voice resonating across the room,

"Breakfast it ready Marwa, have some .You haven't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch."Her eyes warming at my concern yet her lips curved into a bitter smile.

"I do not wish to eat, Amal."She stated.My eyes moved to her little four year old daughter sleeping besides her.I reached around caressing the little girl cheek as she slept soundly unaware of the cruel world around her.

"Marwa, please eat.You'll die starving.Please eat, I don't know when your door is going to be locked again."I pleaded feeling awful.Her eyes remained on her daughter as she thought something.

"When did you eat last time?"She asked me catching me off guard.

"I..I ate ..."I stammered thinking if to lie or to tell the truth.

"We are the same, Amal."She said, a broken look covering her beautiful features.A deep meaning behind her words.

Soft cries made me look away from her as she stood up walking to the crib placed near the bed.Taking her baby boy in her arms she rocked him back to sleep.Baby Akbar stopped crying in his mother's arm making me smile.

Placing him back in the crib she turned to me.I stood up walking out of the room, leaving the door wide open and praying she comes to eat.

Once reaching the dining room I shuddered seeing my husband already there.His jaw moved as he chewed onto his food.He noticed me standing and raised his eyes to me.

"Did you unlock her?"He asked making me nod instantly.

He wiped his hands using the expensive handkerchief before he stood up and walked away.Exhaling a breath I moved to the table feeling a presence behind me.A hidden smile formed on my face as I saw Marwa take a seat besides me.

We ate our breakfast silently and peacefully.Marwa seemed to be in her own thoughts while Jalal Khan seemed to be somewhere in his home office.

Home.

Was this really home? I asked myself feeling bitterness fill me.If someone had told me ten months ago that I was taking a deadly step signing the Nikah papers, I wouldn't have to bear so much pain these past months.But what hand had someone or me in anything.It was destiny, I was destined to go through this.I was destined to marry a man like Jalal Khan.I didn't regret it because it was planned by the bestest of planners, my ALLAH.

If someone was to blame, it was me because I had woven the dreams of fantasy after my wedding.The day a thirty-five year old man stepped in my house to ask my hand in marriage, I felt that the difference of twelve years wouldn't matter.My aunty who took care of me from as long as I remember,who had been around me since I opened my eyes to remember world, I said yes because I didn't have a choice,

"I'll marry her, by hook or crook.Its your concern that you want it to be respectful or I have my ways.I already own her."

A property I was.I was married off to him because even if we said no, the intimidating man would have his way.Because his aura only oozed with danger.

Rinsing another tea cup I hanged it on the washing rack.A loud scream made me run to the hall from the kitchen.Leaning behind a wall I saw Jalal tug at Marwa's hair fisting it as she hissed in pain.

Jalal's animalistic manners only made hate bloom in my heart for him.But I stood there helpless, I couldn't do anything.

"What do you think of yourself woman."He tightened his told on her hair as venom dripped from his words.

"I atleast think better than you.Look at yourself, a coward you are.."Marwa almost spat the words out angering Jalal more.

His hands harshly gripped her hair as she tried to pry his hands away.

"You."He roared.

"Leave me."Marwa roared in the same tone.My heart was thudding loudly as fear gripped me.

"How did you disregard me.How dare you yell in my house, at me."He yelled at her emphasizing each word.

She hissed in pain but tears didn't flow from her eyes when he pulled and pushed her.

"I will disregard you.I will disrespect you until your pride is under my feet."The brave woman retorted aware of the beast in front of her.But Marwa had gone so far in this war that she didn't fear him.She was battling alone with fire and lava yet she didn't back off.

A small tug at my knee made me look down at Saman.Her milk cookies were in her hand as she looked up to me.I kneeled down towards her shielding her from seeing what was happening to her mother.Taking the girl I stood up and walked back into Marwa's room.The yelling continued outside as I tried to play with Saman.Keeping her stuffed toys with her I checked Akbar only to find him still sleeping.

Sitting on the carpeted floor besides Saman I passed her teddy to her.Her large brown eyes moved to my face as she stood up coming my way.Her chubby fingers reaching towards the bruise at the side of my face.She pressed it making me bit back a hiss.

"Whads tis?"She asked observing the bruise.

"Its makeup sweety"I lied taking her in my arms and making her sit in my lap.Feeding her cookies and playing with her, I distracted her from asking about her mommy.

A loud slam sounded making me shudder.I placed Saman on the carpet.Her curious eyes moving to mine.

"Saman baby.Stay in the room and take care of your brother if he wakes up.Okay."I said softly seeing her smile.I couldn't return her the smile as I raced out of the room.Reaching the hall I saw Marwa on the floor.

Gasping I leaned towards her, helping her up to her feet.Blood dripped down from the side of her lips as I helped her to her room.She wiped the red fluid before going to face her daughter.

Saman was playing with her toys as Marwa sat on the bed her eyes infuriating.I sat at the far end of the bed.

"Don't Amal.Don't ever give into this man."

***